ive been gaining weight (not too much) and i need some help...please read on?

[lexluvzanimalz]

so i dont get any exercise (im a very depressed individual and i dont do much...i have no energy to get myself to do anything) so im gaining weight...are there any small steps or things i can do or easy exercises i can do to shake off the gained weight? im not what you would call "fat" but im getting a bit chubby, especially my stomach. please help <3

[Treehugger267]

I think a good thing to start w/ would be to just go for a daily walk outside. It's great exercise, will give you your daily vitamin D and it's also very good for lifting the spirit.

((hugs))

[stitchbug]

I really like this program
www.c25k.com

[Werewolf Girl]

I think a good thing to start w/ would be to just go for a daily walk outside. It's great exercise, will give you your daily vitamin D and it's also very good for lifting the spirit.

((hugs))

I second this, if you don't have a lot of energy walking is absolutely the best thing for you. Sometimes you just need to get out of the house and out of your head.

[Begonia]

I agree, walking is the best exercise, and very accessible. Another suggestion: take up dancing! That gives you a great workout and it's fun to boot. Also, gardening (you have something for your efforts), cycling, cross country skiing if you have snow there, etc. Find something that is enjoyable for you and stick to it! Also, don't forget to hydrate yourself by drinking water.

[GingerFoxx]

Perhaps take up a hobby that you would find rewarding, fun, or that would provide you with social opportunities (if you are interested in that).

Gardening, as mentioned previously, is a great one, though this might not be the best time of year for it. In the warmer months though, it will provide you with the reward of healthy food.

Dancing is a great suggestion, it will increase your energy levels over time.

Yoga is a great activity, as you can always find a class to suit whatever level you are at. You can try it on DVD or find it online if you want to try it at home, but classes are best for learning how to do the postures safely.

You could walk a dog (even if it is just a friend or neighbor's dog). Or play frisbee in a park (with human or canine companions)

There are lots of simple activities that are good for exercise, good for your mood and great for your health all at the same time.

[FitChick99]

Park your car further away when you go to the store or school, whatever.

Take the stairs instead of an elevator/escalator whenever possible.

Walk around when you're talking on the phone instead of sitting on the couch.

I agree with everyone else that walking would be a good start. Even 10 minutes a day, and then go from there.

Some basic strength exercises like crunches, push ups, lunges, squats. Even one set each of 10 repetitions, once a week to start out, and then bump yourself up to twice a week, and then to two sets each time.

Rake the leaves, cut the grass. Any yardwork really. Shovel snow.

[CindyLennyCleo]

Here is a suggestion
go to your local no-kill shelter and walk dogs. They always need people, you get exercise, and have a purpose.

[rabid_child]

In studies, exercise has shown to be as helpful as anti-depressants for treating depression in many people. It's hard to get started, but definitely something that is worth forcing yourself to do not only for your physical health, but your mental health!

[Begonia]

Yoga is wonderful, in combination with something more "aerobic", say walking, which you can do any time of the year. The gardening can be replaced by other activites in winter, say skating or skiing or snowshoeing (if you have snow there), also dancing of course. I take two dance courses, one after the other (at the same dance school) and they give me a terrific workout every Monday night. There's also disco dancing. :)

[Begonia]

Yoga is wonderful, in combination with something more "aerobic", say walking, which you can do any time of the year. The gardening can be replaced by other activites in winter, say skating or skiing or snowshoeing (if you have snow there), also dancing of course. I take two dance courses, one after the other (at the same dance school) and they give me a terrific workout every Monday night. There's also disco dancing. :)

[Begonia]

Sorry about that last one appearing twice! :)

[Treehugger267]

I wanted to add that I am a person who needs an actual time and/or appointment to be somewhere to exercise...(a kick in the pants to actually do it..lol). I signed up for taekwondo w/ my kids. It's a lot of fun, we never do the same 'ol boring stuff, I get to interact w/ people and it's really great exercise (oh and it's never a bad thing to be able to defend yourself ;)).

[the green tooth]

I think a good thing to start w/ would be to just go for a daily walk outside. It's great exercise, will give you your daily vitamin D and it's also very good for lifting the spirit.

((hugs))

This was going to be my comment. And it's easiest. This way you speed up your metabolism and get some fresh air. I do this in the evening by the river and there are many fast-walkers too.

[junglist]

So here's one: How about volunteering somewhere? Two that come to mind that are a great workout are:


Volunteer at a food bank (Lots of stuff to carry around, good exertion)
Volunteer at an animal shelter, they can always use more dog walkers, then you get to walk with doggies.


I mention this because it's also some of the best medicine for the blues, helping others.

[super veggie]

walking is great but try power walking with weights on your hands.if your lazy tredmill,if your not try to start running a little bit each day. and before you know it you will be up to three miles a day like me. also riding your bike is fun right. its also something i enjoy i ride my bike like 5 miles everyday. I also have my weightlifting class we lift mondays ,wensdays,and thursdays then we condition on tuesdays and fridays. one thing to target the chubbyness in your stomach is crunches but do more than just the averarge cruch do crybabies and the exersise where you do your legs like your riding your bike and alterating crunches and 90 degree and 3 degree leg lifts. i do a lot of cry babies and reverse crunches becasue i want ot tone but not get but not get a six pack lol also i dont think your fat at all but if you want to lose weight th e3 s's apply no suger no salt and no soda

[super veggie]

also if you have trouble with running try walking with weights on your legs all day then take them off it makes running much easier

[andyxcore]

This may be redundant/rhetoric, but are you getting enough protein and iron? What about B12? I find when I'm low of B12, I feel really drained. A glass of B12-rich soymilk, and I'm ready to go.

[dormouse]

In studies, exercise has shown to be as helpful as anti-depressants for treating depression in many people. It's hard to get started, but definitely something that is worth forcing yourself to do not only for your physical health, but your mental health!

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. And I will back up these studies by saying exercise has helped me cope with difficult situations and depression and my current death anxiety.

It is hard to get started, but after you get into the habit of it, you'll look forward to exercising.

[SurferGirl]

Several years ago found myself picking up weight a few pounds each year.

Here's what I suggest. Get back to the sense of play you had as a kid. What did you like doing? Riding a bike? Volleyball? Somewhere along the line, most of us, especially women, lose that desire to go play outside. Make it a habit to have FUN.

For me, I got back on a surfboard, dusted of my bicycle and started walking then running. I started a little at a time, regaining that curiosity about what is out there that I had as a kid. New places, new routes, new music on the Ipod keeps it interesting, distracting.

The result? I am having the time of my life. I dropped forty pounds five years ago, run 5-7 miles a day, surf when I can and cycle the woods and to run errands. I've met scores of people who are like-minded - progressive, compassionate and active. I'm scratching age 50 and have never been happier or healthier. All this lead to work in beach and turtle conservation, but I digress.

Do what you love (or loved) and you will stay with it and do what your mother said,

GO PLAY OUTSIDE! http://www.websmileys.com/sm/sport/sport14.gif

[lexluvzanimalz]

Several years ago found myself picking up weight a few pounds each year.

Here's what I suggest. Get back to the sense of play you had as a kid. What did you like doing? Riding a bike? Volleyball? Somewhere along the line, most of us, especially women, lose that desire to go play outside. Make it a habit to have FUN.

For me, I got back on a surfboard, dusted of my bicycle and started walking then running. I started a little at a time, regaining that curiosity about what is out there that I had as a kid. New places, new routes, new music on the Ipod keeps it interesting, distracting.

The result? I am having the time of my life. I dropped forty pounds five years ago, run 5-7 miles a day, surf when I can and cycle the woods and to run errands. I've met scores of people who are like-minded - progressive, compassionate and active. I'm scratching age 50 and have never been happier or healthier. All this lead to work in beach and turtle conservation, but I digress.

Do what you love (or loved) and you will stay with it and do what your mother said,

GO PLAY OUTSIDE! http://www.websmileys.com/sm/sport/sport14.gif

thanks SurferGirl (sorry i dont know your name), thats actually really inspiring. i think im gonna start with crunches, and then once its warm out again (its winter here) ill do other stuff :)